Virajpet

The town of Virajpet also spelled as Virajapete () is township of the district of Kodagu, in India's southern State of Karnataka. It is the main town of the ''Virajpet taluka'', south of the district, and borders Kerala State. The name of the town is derived from its founder, Dodda Vira Rajendra.

History

The name Virajpet is a shorter version of its previous name Virarajendrapet, named after the Haleri King Dodda Vira Rajendra, who founded the town in 1792. He founded the town to commemorate his meeting with General Robert Abercromby, his ally against Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, in 1791. Virajpet was the headquarters of Yedenalknad taluk. The first population comprised people who Vira Rajendra had in his predatory excursions swept away from Mysore. But, the people that fled to Virajpet were principally the inhabitants of Periyapatna, who were looking for protection when their town was destroyed by Tipu Sultan, to prevent its falling into the hands of the British.

Lieutenant Connor in his 1870 memoir titled ''Memoir of the Codugu Survey'' noted that Virajpet was "a large straggling town containing about 500 houses... and although the whole permanent trade of the country is centered here, there are but few symptoms of either affluence, or growing prosperity; having no manufactures, its chief support must be in traffic, for this, its situation is particularly advantageous, fitting it in a great measure for being a staple between Mysore and the Western coast". He noted that fair takes place every Friday and was "the largest of the periodical markets held in the country". He added, "... all the produce of the southern parts is brought here for sale, also that of the districts in its vicinity, it being the: principal place from which they are exported, the neighbouring inhabitants of Mysore resort here in great number. Rice is the chief article which they take away with them."

During the independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi visited the town in 1934 and addressed a public gathering.

Geography

Climate and rainfall

Virajpet has a hot and wet type of climate. The town receives moderately high rainfall. Summer in April and May are hot, with daily maximum temperature reaching over 34 °C. Temperature reduces with the onset of monsoon in the month of June. Winters are cold with daily minimum temperature hovering around 10 °C to 15 °C. In 2022, Virajpet hobli received annual rainfall of . It falls under the drainage basin of west flowing rivers as its terrain is inclined towards the west and contribute less to Kaveri river basin.

Demographics

Virajpet has a population of 17,246 as per the 2011 Census of India. The number of males was 8,724 and females 8,522, thus a gender ration of 977 females to 1,000 males. Virajpet's literacy rate is 93.12 per cent, significantly higher than the national average of 74.04 per cent. The rate among males was 92.75 per cent and 95.46 per cent in females. 1,641 in number, 9.52 per cent of the population fall in the under-six age group.

Religion and language

According to the 2011 Census, 63.43 per cent of the town's population identified themselves as Hindus, 28.80 per cent as Muslims and 7.23 per cent as Christians. Buddhists, formed a small percentage of the population, while 0.14 per cent claimed no religious affiliation.

The native language of the region is Kodava Takk, a South Dravidian language spoken by the indigenous Kodava people, who have inhabited Kodagu for centuries. Kannada, the official language of Karnataka, is also widely spoken and understood.

A significant number of Malayalam speakers in Virajpet are descendants of migrants from Kerala. Many Malayalis moved to Kodagu during the British colonial period, particularly to work in coffee plantations. While Malayalam remains spoken among these communities, it is not indigenous to Kodagu and reflects migration patterns rather than native linguistic identity.

Recent cultural reports and linguistic studies emphasize the importance of preserving Kodava Takk, which is facing challenges due to limited intergenerational transmission.

Civic administration

The Virajpet Nagar Panchayat is the municipality in charge of the civic and infrastructural assets of the town. Virajpet has a town area of . The municipal council consists of 18 elected representatives, called councillors, one from each of the 18 wards (localities) of the town. A councillor from the majority party is selected as a President. The council initially met at the Town Hall, which was built in 1932, before it was expanded in 1956. However, the council then met in another building constructed for the purpose, which also housed the administrative staff associated with the municipality.

For elections to the Lok Sabha, Virajpet falls under the Mysore constituency. Prior to revision of the constituencies by the Delimitation commission in 2008, the town came under Mangalore constituency. For elections to the State Legislative Assembly, the town falls under the constituency that, apart from the town, includes the surrounding villages, and sends one member to the assembly.

Transportation

Both Karnataka and Kerala operate government-run buses to Virajpet towards Kannur, Bangalore, Ernakulam, Hassan and Madikeri. Intra-district connectivity is maintained by private -run buses. Virajpet does not have railway connectivity. The nearest railway stations are Thalassery and Kannur in Kerala, at a distance of each. Mysore is the nearest major railway station in Karnataka at .

The nearest airports are Kannur International Airport in Kerala and Mangalore International Airport at and respectively. Also, the Kozhikode International Airport and the Bangalore Kempegowda International Airport are at a distance of and respectively from the town.

Highways

No national highways pass through the town of Virajpet. It can be reached by state highways, SH-90, SH-27 and SH-91.

See also

* Aimangala
* Madikeri
* Mangalore
* Virajpet Assembly constituency
* Kushalanagar
* Somwarpet
* Iritty

References

External links

Virajpet Town Panchayat Website

{{Authority control

Cities and towns in Kodagu district